Top Stories

News stories, radio and TV episodes that warrant one of six spots on our homepage. The homepage is in chronological order of publication date, so stories are moved off the homepage as more are categorized “top stories.”

officials

Alaska leaders work together following ‘devastating’ glacial flooding in Juneau

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski toured neighborhoods that experienced record-breaking flooding.

How Alaska wound up with no limits on campaign donations — and how some hope to restore them

A court slashed Alaska's campaign finance laws in 2021. Now, as money pours into candidates' coffers, a campaign seeks to reimpose them.
an early voting station

Early voting opens for Aug. 20 primary; mailed absentee application window closes this week

Under Alaska’s primary election system, all candidates for a particular office run together. The top four vote-getters advance to November.
aircraft

Chinese and Russian aircraft joined for ‘first time’ in sortie near Alaska

U.S. experts say four Russian and Chinese bombers intercepted near Alaska signal China’s growing interest in the Arctic.
A car parked near trees.

Eek man charged with murdering woman after standoff with troopers

Troopers arrested Nick Beebe, 41, in the death of 38-year-old Lorna White after a Tuesday standoff in which a trooper fired on him.
traffic

Sitka at a ‘tipping point’ as residents grapple with impact of tourism

Amid a summer that sometimes sees more tourists than locals in Sitka, residents are reflecting on how visitors affect their lives.
an airplane

Ravn Alaska suspends service to the Aleutian Islands

The regional airline is suspending air service to Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Cold Bay and Sand Point in the Aleutians, effective Aug. 16.
Two people walk through a prison.

Goose Creek inmate’s death pushes Alaska past 2023 inmate toll

Goose Creek Correctional Center inmate Freddie Lee Fox, 70, died Sunday. He is the state prison system's eleventh death this year.
flooding

Mendenhall River neighbors recount narrow escapes after record-breaking flood hits Juneau

The City and Borough of Juneau and Gov. Mike Dunleavy have issued disaster emergency declarations.
Salmonfest

Advocates highlight fishery issues at Salmonfest

Activists, storytellers and artists spoke about salmon issues at Salmonfest and highlighted the festival’s goal for the past 13 years.
Four men stand in an fluorescently lit office room. the man on the right is waving an American flag with a big smile on his face. two other men are wearing US Military uniforms.

From Somalia, Philippines, and more: Meet some of Alaska’s newest U.S. citizens

The new citizenship candidates felt a multitude of different emotions during their naturalization ceremony.
a building

Alaska Permanent Fund headed for fiscal crisis, as state budget increasingly relies on it

As the Alaska Beacon's James Brooks puts it, it's like putting down railroad tracks right before the train rumbles over them.
a law enforcement truck in traffic

Palmer man found hurt after days missing on Hatcher Pass hike

Troopers say Roberto Zapata, 60, headed for Bomber Glacier on Saturday. He was found injured Tuesday and flown to an area hospital.
Parts of an unused COVID-19 at-home test.

Alaska sees summer COVID-19 wave of cases with FLiRT variants

Alaska is experiencing a summer COVID wave, fueled by the new so-called “FLiRT variants,” new Omicron variants of the COVID-19 virus. 
Tim Walz

Harris taps Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate

Supporters hope the Democratic Governors Association chair, former teacher and congressman can pick up Midwest votes.
flooding

Annual glacial outburst flooding affects Juneau’s Mendenhall Valley

The Mendenhall River crested at 15.99 feet early Tuesday and has begun to recede, after widespread flooding and power cuts.

How to run in a House district the size of Germany? Pickled whale might help.

Three people are running in Alaska’s Arctic district. The big issue is the incumbent’s vote to sustain the governor’s veto of education funds.
Kachemak Bay

4 boaters missing from capsized vessel near Homer after Coast Guard suspends search

Officials say David, Mary, Colton and Brantley Maynard remain missing after four others were saved Saturday by good Samaritans.
a law enforcement truck in traffic

Teen charged with homicide in dirt-bike collision with Big Lake pedestrian

Brendan Clark, 19, is charged with criminally negligent homicide in the July 8 collision that killed 79-year-old Nadara Williams.
a geothermal plant

Army exploring geothermal energy for Fort Wainwright backup heat

A contractor plans to test 500-foot "deep wells" in the Fairbanks area for geothermal potential.